Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has spark to get Arsenal engine purring again

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ready to do a midfield job for Arsene Wenger

Alex Song was a great player for us, a big player, but I am definitely capable of filling Alex’s role

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The 19-year-old made his name at Southampton as a rampaging winger and has even earned five England caps playing in that position.

But he wants to prove Arsene Wenger was right to flog Alex Song to Barcelona – by stepping into the midfielder’s shoes.

The Gunners are short of numbers in their engine room after Song’s £15m move to the Nou Camp.

But Oxlade-Chamberlain has been studying midfield greats such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard to learn what it takes to play there.

He feels ready to take on the role tomorrow at Stoke – the club his father Mark used to play for – after shaking off an ankle injury. And he revealed Wenger had him earmarked as a midfi elder from the day he joined Arsenal from Saints in a £15m deal last August.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, speaking as he was unveiled as the new face of EA SPORTS’ FIFA 13, said: “On the day I signed, he asked me where I saw myself. And my dad, who was in the room, said, ‘He’s a central midfielder’.

“The boss sort of laughed and said, ‘I think he could be as well, but maybe to start off with he’ll be out wide and that part of the game will come.’

“Obviously I played the majority of last season on the wing, but the boss has been pushing me to try my hand in a more central position.

“I’ve played a lot more in centre midfield this pre-season and I think it’s good I’ve been playing there and gaining experience of it.

“Alex Song was a great player for us, a big player, but I am definitely capable of filling Alex’s role.

“They are big shoes to fill. But you’ve got that everywhere at Arsenal. Wherever you play, you have to step up and perform.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain was a revelation against AC Milan in last season’s Champions League when he was called on as an emergency midfielder.

But it looks like he will get his chance to shine there on a more regular basis with Jack Wilshere injured and Abou Diaby yet to impress.

He feels that impressive performance against Milan gave him the confidence to concentrate on the position.

And he hopes to form a midfield partnership with Spain star Santi Cazorla that is just like the one Xavi and Andres Iniesta enjoy at Barcelona.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “I think everyone likes to say they would like to be like Iniesta and Xavi. People like that.

“Iniesta will play in midfield but drift out wide.

He takes players on, he scores goals, sees through balls, but at the same time he’ll tackle. When I watch people, I’m quite a quick learner. That just helps you as a player. I like to pick up on what people who are in a better position do.

“I watched Cesc Fabregas, too, when he was at Arsenal. You just learn from all these kind of players and that’s what I try to do.

“Santi Cazorla is brilliant. He’s a typical Spanish player – really technical, he’s got a right foot, left foot. He can dribble.

“He’s a really clever player, small but physical. I played with him in midfield in pre-season and I got on really well with him there.

“You know when you buzz off a player and you can bounce off him and you get good vibes and are on the same wavelength. I had that with Santi.

“Playing in midfield against AC Milan was a big shock because I hadn’t really played there for Arsenal before or on a stage like that.

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but it was a massive chance for me and I think I did alright. I’m just glad the boss gave me the nod there."

• WATCH Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain unveiled as the UK cover star of EA SPORTS’ FIFA 13 at www.youtube.com/EASPORTSfootball FIFA 13 is released on September 28 and can be pre-ordered NOW at www.game.co.uk